Important Truth I Learned About Having No Other Gods

Sharing is caring!

I want to tell you about a season of my life when God taught me the truth about having no other gods in my life…

You, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.

Psalm 86:15 (ESV)

I’m overwhelmed by God’s patient love for countless reasons, but there’s one particular time that stands out and flattens me.

I had a big want.

It wasn’t a bad want, but it appeared to be something God didn’t want for me. At least not at that time. Sadly, fearing that He was saying “no” to my countless prayers, my impatience and frustration grew. You wouldn’t be wrong picturing a whiney, pouting child.

You know the First Commandment. The one that says…

Have no other gods.

My want took over my life. It was all I could think about, until this churchgoing, good girl, follower of Jesus, had an “other god.” After years of wanting and waiting, I was encouraged to take charge and get what I wanted.

Praise God! He is gracious, patient, and loving…

He used a dream to ask me, “Do you love me more than these?” I remember waking up right after responding with, “Yes, Lord, You know that I love you.” 

I did love Him. I do. But this other “god” had a tight grip on my heart and my mind.

And that’s one of the problems with our “other gods.” We don’t always realize the power we’ve given them.

But God knows.

He knew my heart and my thoughts. As David wrote…

O Lord, you have examined my heart
    and know everything about me.

Psalm 139:1

So, finally, out of love, He allowed a crisis that became a huge wake-up call.

I was so ashamed.

How could I have allowed an “other god” in my life? How could I have given in to temptation? How could I have listened to the same tempting lie first heard in the Garden, and given in? How could I ever think that God would hold out on me and that I needed to stubbornly and selfishly grab the apple myself?

I was humbled, flattened, and repentant.

Praise God, He was gracious and merciful, compassionate and faithful, loving and caring. He keeps His promise to forgive every repentant heart.

God was and is patient with me.
And He will be patient with you.

Not because of who I am.
Not because of who you are.
But because of who He is.

David wrote…

The Lord is compassionate and merciful,
slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.
He will not constantly accuse us,
nor remain angry forever.
He does not punish us for all our sins;
He does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve.
For His unfailing love toward those who fear Him
is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth.
He has removed our sins as far from us
as the east is from the west.
The Lord is like a father to His children,
tender and compassionate to those who fear Him.

Psalm 103:8–13

That is a promise of the Lord’s perfect, unfailing love, and it flattens me!

Since that season in my life, I realize that it could have been me standing in Eve’s place in the garden, taking a bite of the forbidden fruit. I realize how much I’m like the whiney wilderness wanderers and the prodigal son.

But I also see the Father, who proclaimed His plan and sent Jesus. I see Him patiently leading His children into the Promised Land, and standing, watching, and waiting for every prodigal repentant sinner to come home.

He didn’t just forgive and restore me… He brought me to a new place of trust. A place where I understand that His plans and purposes are always from His perfect wisdom and love. By His grace, He allowed me to trust His promises and live with hope.

Oh, the enemy still tries to remind me of my sin and shame me, but when he does, the Father holds me close and whispers, “You are fully forgiven and forever loved. Trust me.”

Let’s pray…

A Prayer to Have No Other Gods
in My Life

Heavenly Father, thank you for loving us and wanting us to KNOW and LOVE You more than anyone or anything else in our lives. You clearly told us to have no other gods, yet we still foolishly give the things of this world the highest place in our hearts and minds.

It took me many years to KNOW and TRUST Your promises in the context of Your Word. I was guilty of making them say what I wanted them to say. I foolishly used them to defend my attitudes and desires.

Thank you for working in my life and teaching me Your truth. Maybe not in the way I would have chosen, but in the way I needed. I believed the enemy’s lies that if I did my best to be “good”, You would give me my heart’s desire. David wrote, “Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” (Psalm 37:4)

I didn’t understand that when I fully delight in You, You will be my heart’s desire. You never promised to give us power, popularity, possessions, or people. You did promise to love us, be with us, and provide for our needs.

You promised to forgive repentant hearts surrendered to You through faith in Jesus. He is our greatest need, and by Your grace, He is the desire of my heart.

I praise You for being my Provider, for being patient, and for guiding me to Your truth. Please continue to hold me close and give me what You know I need. Guard my heart and mind so that I will never again allow an “other god” in my life. I want to honor You and proclaim Your faithfulness. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

God allowed me to hear His voice another time, through one more dream. I don’t remember the details, but I remember His message to “Feed my sheep.”

So, I tell my story. A story of foolishness and failure forgiven by a patient, loving God.

And I remember God’s words to Isaiah…

“Remember this, keep it in mind,
take it to heart…
Remember the former things, those of long ago;
I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is none like me.”

Isaiah 46:8–9 (NIV)

May the Lord bless you as you give yourself to Him, trusting that there are no other gods. He alone is worthy!

We would love to pray for you.
You can leave your prayer requests here…

and even take a few minutes to pray over the list left by our friends.

Never Miss an Update

Leave your email address and I’ll send you a short email every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday to alert you to each new devotion. Plus you’ll receive a copy of 30 Ways to Bless Your Marriage and Keep the Spark Burning

I always enjoy hearing from you! Please take a minute to say ‘hi” and share your thoughts in the comments below.

And if this article blessed or helped you today — would you share it with someone? Maybe a friend, family member, coworker, or through the links below…

Thanks again for visiting! Don’t forget to check out the links below to find additional posts that will bless you…

Sharing is caring!